By the Red Moon Part 30
"Your kingdom is incredible," Duo smiled widely while trying hard not to stuff himself too much over dinner in front of his hosts.
It was quite the difficult feat, considering how long it had been since the prince was able to enjoy a full course of a variety of foods like what was laid out before him and his friends. Taking his time, he did, however, make it a point to try just a little of everything. 'For the sake of the cooks not having gone through all the trouble of cooking for nothing,' he told himself.
After their introductions to the King and Queen of Pisces, the couple immediately saw to it that their guests were given fresh clothes and a place at their banquet hall table to fill their stomachs.
Seated across from him, Queen Maralee bowed her head of long, black hair with a pleased grin. The ring of diamonds cut to look like bubbles sparkled along with her clear blue eyes and white satin dress as she replied sincerely in a timbre that was just as airy, "Thank you, Duo. I am most happy that you like it."
Wearing silk robes of deep blues, greens and purples, King Septum bore a gold crown with three curved hooks that rose from the band over his brow. With a nod, the dark-haired man vowed in his gritty tone, "For as long as you and your army are within our land, you will all be treated like royalty in appreciation for your service to protecting our world from Dekim."
He ran a hand over the end of his mustache and said, "While we are a peaceful people who do not feel comfortable partaking in warfare, we would never take for granted what your stand against the threat that the dark sorcerer imposes. So, you are all more than welcome to stay as long as you need and will want of nothing."
"That is most appreciated, your highness," Lady Une smiled when Duo looked to her for how to formally respond to such a selfless offer. "This extended kindness will work wonders for our soldiers' morale." Glancing to the braided prince from the corner of her eye, she winked.
Queen Maralee grinned at the exchange and responded, "Well, it is the very least that we can do for you."
Folding her hands together onto the table, she focused on the teenager across from her and commented, "Now, I hope that I am not prying, but I would love to learn more about you, your black steed and the other world that you had been sent to, Duo."
Already having expected the request, Maxwell began, "Well, there are a lot of differences in that other realm and this..." Continuing on with his very honest telling of his experiences that he had already planned, he smiled at how his hosts leaned towards him in wonder as they took in everything he had to say.
* * * * * *
Blinking in surprise at the number of soldiers that were communing within the walls of Pisces from his place atop the highest tower of his castle, King Septum questioned, "This is the extent of your army? How many men do you have?"
His wife looked back to Duo and Odin who stood behind them on the terrace. Ever present with the prince were the three knights that kept their watch over him.
As much as Heero, Wufei and Anna truly were always around for their braided friend's protection, it also made him look more official to have a constant guard on him. And whatever would convince others to take him seriously could only help their cause.
The Commander stepped forward to answer, "We have a close to one hundred thousand, your highness. And they all come from different lands, several belonging to formerly feuding countries that have put their differences aside to defend everything we know."
Rubbing his chin, Septum whispered, "One hundred thousand." He met the Odin's eyes and frowned, "You have seen what Dekim's army is capable of first-hand. Do you believe that the men you have will be enough to stand against it?"
Duo's eyes widened at the blunt question. It was a question that he had pondered himself, but never felt right in coming out and asking. Along with Heero, his eyes fell on the Commander as he took a deep breath and paused.
His own mouth falling into a deep frown, Odin replied matter-of-factly, "No. What we have is far from the strength that we need to defeat them."
Even though he had all but assumed that would be the answer, it was no less difficult for the braided prince to actually hear the assessment. Swallowing roughly, he looked to the knights around him and saw in their solemn faces that they all agreed with their leader.
The eyes of both the king and queen widened as they shared a disbelieving look. Shaking her head when she turned back to their guests, Maralee asked, "Then why... why risk yourselves in such a way? You are suffering and will likely die by your own belief, for what?"
Odin rolled his shoulders back and raised his head as he declared, "Better to die in battle than to just sit back and allow Dekim to do as he wishes. All that we can do for the time being is lay in wait while gathering as much support and as many men and women that are willing to join us as we can."
Gesturing to the scores of troops talking and laughing amongst themselves in the city below, he stated, "Every one of those soldiers is well aware of the unlikelihood that they will come out of this alive. However, they are not about to have the darkness fall on the world without a fight."
From the moment that he had been asked to join in the war, Duo was well aware that he had little chance of making it out in one piece as well. Still, he could not turn his back on innocent people who were being wiped out. And so, he completely understood that dedication and wish to do something... anything to stop Dekim.
Actually having had time with just a few of those living in this world had only solidified his decision. Just as Odin had said, better to fight and die than to sit back and accept the fate of what was coming.
Looking back down to the soldiers and gifted alike that were now residents of his homeland, King Septum blinked and watched them with new eyes. "You are all remarkable people for this," he breathed.
He turned to Duo and the knights and told them, "Every single one of you. Never before have I ever known such courage." Biting her lip, his bride nodded her head while folding her hands over her heart as though in pain.
Surprisingly enough to all, Heero was the first to speak up. In the same straightforward tone that the Commander had, he commented, "It is simply the right thing to do." Wufei and Anna nodded their heads firmly to echo the sentiment, the determination in their eyes never wavering for a moment.
A sad smile tugging her lips, Queen Maralee revered quietly, "Tried and true knights." Clearing her throat when a lump formed, she turned her head away to hide that she was fighting tears of both fear and grief for what would come of those brave souls... for what would come of all of them in the end.
"Let us just enjoy our time together," Septum suggested with a forced smile.
Opening his arms, he wrapped one around Odin's shoulders and the other around Duo's as he led them back into his castle. "You are all by far the most honored guests that have ever graced us with your presence."
* * * * * *
For days following their arrival at Pisces, Duo and his fellow soldiers were given the best treatment than anyone could ask. And after a week of good nourishment, company and sleep, Duo had almost forgotten about the danger that threatened the world.
..Almost.
Of course, the prince knew that their days in their little piece of heaven would come to an end eventually.
But for the time being, he was just going to soak up as much of the normalcy that he could. Morale was up for not only himself, but everyone in the army, just as Lady Une said that it would be.
Rooms within the castle were given first to Duo, his protective ring, family and the other royals that joined the force along with their own brave knights. What space was still available was given to as many as the king and queen could fit. And when that ran out, only the finest of inns and residences were offered without condition to the remaining soldiers and gifted.
At the end of another afternoon of sword training, both Heero and Duo both sat beside each other on a man-made hill to cool down.
"You know, I can actually feel myself getting a little stronger now," the braided teenager panted once he drank the last drop from his canteen. "Still like to be able to last longer than I do, but I'm getting there."
Snickering quietly, the Captain placed the cap back on his own canister and placed his hands on the ground behind himself to stay propped up. "You can only get better with more experience," he smirked. "And you are coming along."
The sides of his mouth falling into a frown, Duo's mind wandered back to the reality of their situation. "I wish that we didn't have to deal with this war," he sighed as he stared out to the walls of water that surrounded the city in the distance.
Knowing what was beyond those walls... the uncertainty and the shadow to the north that was slowly getting larger by the day, he shuddered.
"I haven't even had a chance to see all of the incredible things this world has to offer yet," the prince smiled sadly. "Most of what I have been around were as if they came right out of a dream."
Biting his lip, Heero looked to something over his shoulder before he said quietly, "Well, there is something that you still have not seen yet that I have been meaning to show you." As he rose to his feet, his friend blinked up at him and he grinned before walking towards Wing, "Come on."
Not needing to be invited twice, Maxwell jumped up and all but ran for Deathscythe, unable to contain his excitement from his face. "You heard the man," he told his black steed while climbing into his saddle. "Follow them."
Snorting in response, the dragon spread her wings and followed on the other beast's heels.
* * * * * *
The center of Pisces held a massive 'lake' that was actually the ocean contained in a controlled ring where the residents could swim, fish and boat safely. Duo was already familiar with the spot, having been a frequent visitor during his stay.
Landing on his feet beside the Captain when they reached a more desolate end of the beach that he had not been to before, he ran a hand through his bangs and asked, "So what is it about this place that you wanted to show me?"
Heero stripped down to his black underwear as he chuckled, "We are right over it. This way." Wading into the water until his feet could not touch the bottom, he missed the prince's eyes roaming over him from top to bottom.
Quickly as he could manage, Duo pulled off his clothes with a couple of fumbles before he got down to his brown underwear and medallion. Having a bit of reason kick in, he looked up to the dragons and smirked, "Try to not kill each other while we're gone, 'k?"
Both grumbling, Wing and Scythe glared at each other from the corner of their eyes. In reluctant agreement, they snorted dark plumes of smoke. Satisfied with that, their braided charge ran for the water and swam up to Heero's side.
A small smile on his face, the knight said, "Take a deep breath." At that, he inhaled a long pull of air and dove below the surface. Following suit, Duo filled his lungs until his cheeks puffed out before he sank into the cool water after him.
One of the nice things about the ocean in this world was that ocean water was crystal clear and did not sting the eyes when they were opened. Swimming downward along with Heero, Duo quickly noticed that the side of this beach was lined with jutting bedrock that ran as far down to the sea floor as far as he could tell.
Several feet down, there was a gaping hole that the Captain disappeared into. Not wanting to fall too far behind, the prince took longer sweeps with his arms and kicked harder with his feet to not confuse the entrance with another crevice.
When his friend was in sight again, he found him swimming up to where the surface of the water was shimmering brilliant in an array of colors.
His eyes widening, Duo took just a moment while he still had air to reach out for the beams that pierced through.
A couple of kicks later, he was breaking the surface beside where Heero was waiting with a grin. Gesturing with his head, the knight wordlessly suggested a look around. The moment he swam himself in a circle, the braided teenager gasped sharply, wide-eyed and slack-jawed.
What he found appeared to be the inside of a crystal. The brown and gray bedrock that protected the inside was clear, white and sparkling inside as it created caverns of different shapes and sizes almost like a honeycomb. Large pieces of petrified gems shot out all around to glow in one single beam that changed from space to space.
There were caves of royal blue, emerald green, rose pink, brilliant gold... every imaginable color under the sun. And there seemed to be no end to the depth of the lair in any direction. Candles that glowed in every space without burning the wax in a bit of magic kept the crystals glittering vibrantly.
Once he finally remembered to breathe, Duo could only manage to whisper in wonder, "Wow."
Happy that his friend was so taken by their surroundings, Heero swam to the edge of the pool they were in and pulled himself up onto the flat stone walkway. Following silently, the prince watched as he reached for one of the many gold staffs that leaned against the walls.
As his hand touched the metal, the brocade at the end came to life as a brightly glowing globe appeared.
Peering over his shoulder, the Captain smiled, "I take it that you did not have anything like this in your old world?" He snickered as his friend shook his braided head fervently. On that cue, he led the way through the chambers to give the full extent of the view.
Some time later, Duo had lost track of how long they had actually been walking through the corridors and halls in silence until he noted that he was almost completely dry. Focusing on Yuy, he finally spoke up. "So did you come here often whenever you visited Pisces?" he asked.
"Yes," Heero nodded as he looked back at him. "Once it had been shown to me, I liked having a place where I could come for some privacy. Even right now, there are dozens of people around, but there are so many places to go to that we will likely not run into any of them."
There was little doubt of that, the prince thought to himself as he scanned around again. And he could completely believe the reasons for the Captain's visits to this place. As intensely private as he usually was, a haven like this was a great place for him to get lost in.
A smile spreading on his face, Duo heard himself sigh, "Well, this is easily the most beautiful thing that I've ever seen." Tilting his head as he gazed back on his guide, he questioned, "Any spots in particular that you preferred to stay in?"
Without looking back, Heero replied, "There is one. We are almost there."
Beaming at that, Maxwell felt his stomach leap in his throat over the thrill of having the object of his affection share such a personal thing with him.
And when they did arrive to that space, he was once again stunned speechless. Heero turned back to face him when he stopped at the entrance, his face almost etched in nervousness as he held the staff out and announced, "This is where I would spend the most time."
To his amazement, Duo stared into a large cavern that glowed a vibrant violet. And he found himself falling in love with the knight all over again.
Stepping into the room, Yuy sat on the edge of a layer of bedrock with the prince taking up the space beside him. What parts of them were not lit by the white light of the scepter took on the same, purple hue as the space around them.
After a long silence, he continued to stare ahead when he whispered, "I would spend hours in here because it reminded me of your eyes."
It was a tough admission to make, Duo could tell in his tone. But it only served to give him a surge of hope that maybe...
Maybe it was the fact that Heero was sitting beside him, damp and wearing nothing but black underwear that hugged his perfect body just right...
Or it could have been his knowing how the Captain clearly cared about him...
Perhaps it was his having to deal with being the only one of the two that was aware of how he felt...
Whatever it was to cause it, all that Duo knew when Heero turned back to meet his gaze, their heads were leaning in. It was all happening too quickly for him to really think about it and so he just closed his eyes.
And when their lips touched, the feeling was so intense that it was as if he was engulfed by flames.
TBC...
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